NEW YORK, NY – Despite widespread warnings from scientists and health care professionals, the federal government has not prepared for a global flu pandemic.  There is no federal plan to deal with this threat and only 1% of the population would be covered by existing supplies of antiviral treatments.  Today, Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) hosted a press conference to highlight this danger and outline steps she is taking to improve preparedness.

“The issue is simple – we are not ready.  A global flu pandemic could kill millions, yet the United States does not even have a comprehensive preparedness plan finalized or adequate supplies of vaccines or treatments,” said Lowey.  “We must do more.  This week, the House Appropriations Committee will dedicate more funding to planning for a pandemic and require the completion of a Department of Health and Human Services pandemic flu plan.  Experts tell us it’s not a matter of if but when, so we have no time to lose.”

In the event of a flu pandemic, the World Health Organization has estimated that within months, nearly 30 million people would be hospitalized and as many as 7.5 million would die.  To prevent such dire consequences, experts have urged nations to stockpile supplies of flu vaccine and antivirals, which can successfully treat flu infections.  Yet the United States currently has enough antivirals to treat only 1 percent of the population. 

Congresswoman Lowey was joined today by a number of local health officials and infectious disease specialists at press conference at New York University’s Tisch Hospital Center to highlight this growing concern.  She announced that legislation slated to pass the House Appropriations Committee this week will include language authored by Lowey to force the Department of Health and Human Service to complete a long-delayed federal flu pandemic plan.  Because the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended a plan be drafted almost five years ago, the bill will demand that such a report be finalized.  The bill will also require the federal government to determine how many doses of antivirals are needed to protect the American public and it will increase funding for flu preparedness, including the purchasing of vaccines and antivirals, by more than $117 million. 

Lowey also announced that she will introduce the Attacking Viral Influenza Across Nations Act (AVIAN Act) which will provide a comprehensive blueprint for preparing for a flu outbreak.  The AVIAN Act will require the federal government to create plans to prepare for and respond to a pandemic flu outbreak; procure antiviral treatments and vaccines for a Strategic National Stockpile; promote increased research into pandemic flu, its vaccines and treatments; and expand efforts to prevent pandemic avian flu both domestically and internationally.  The legislation is sponsored in the Senate by Senator Barak Obama (D-IL).

“This is not just a health issue.  A pandemic flu outbreak will disrupt economies around the world and even undermine our security and stability.  Yet the federal government hasn’t done enough to prepare,” said Lowey.  “That’s unacceptable.  I will continue fighting to make sure we are ready when a pandemic occurs.”